Newcastle’s assault on the Premiership’s European slots is progressing rather smoothly, in a material sense at least, after a decidedly weak start to the season. Furthermore, with February drawing to a close and a frenzied fixture list ahead, Newcastle are yet to really break a sweat in their quest to capture the UEFA Cup. Performances have invariably varied from week to week, but a truer reflection of the team’s genuine prowess is slowly emerging; something that has ameliorated somewhat, with injured stars and squad players returning to the fray. Even with so much to play for, and so very much left to be settled, one can’t help but look to the summer with curiosity.

Newcastle’s ascent up the league table has come about in true Newcastle style, sacrificing a once impressive defensive record for an abundance of goals in attack. The poor start to the season was crippling, and was incontrovertibly due to how goal-shy the team were, so when we look to the summer, do we look to bolstering the strikeforce?

Recent matches seem to suggest that Newcastle can finally apply the lethal pace coursing through the team, in a successful and penetrative fashion, but the team does hinge too heavily upon the already injury-prone legs of too few, such as Kieron Dyer to name but one. Were we to lose Obafemi Martins, our options up-front would be sluggish on a good day - that is, of course, assuming that Michael Owen is out also. The much-maligned Shola Ameobi, who had 5 goals from 10 games prior to his injury, has finally had surgery to his hip, having valiantly carried the team’s only attacking threat, alone, for what seemed like far too long. What of Antoine Sibierski? With Newcastle bodies strewn across the packed treatment room, the endearing Frenchman has proved a useful acquisition, helping himself to both managerial and supporter praise along the way.

The banal and obvious questions will be asked, but if we’re realistic, there was never anyone who could fill the Shearer-shaped hole at St. James’ Park, but provided three or four of the four strikers above and the midfielder-cum-forward, Kieron Dyer, can stay match fit next season, the attack shan’t be a problem. The attacking play now is more mobile and unpredictable, and the club will surely never again see so many players out concurrently.

Realistically, the club couldn’t accommodate anymore more strikers now, without fomenting unnecessary discontent, and the season that continues to unravel, has elucidated areas of the team that require more immediate attention - the full back areas.